Drawing on extensive archival records and illustrations, histories of the sport, and newspaper files, A Great Game delves into the fascinating early years of ice hockey. It tells of the hockey heroes and hard-boiled businessmen who built the game, and the rise and fall of legendary teams pursuing the Stanley Cup. With a historian’s perspective and fan’s passion, Stephen Harper presents a riveting and often-surprising portrait, capturing everything from the physical contests on the rinks to the battles behind the scenes and the changing social conventions of the twentieth century.

A century ago, rinks could melt, and by half time the blades screwed to the players’ shoes could be sinking in mud. It was during this period that the unsuccessful Toronto Professionals of 1908 and the victorious Toronto Blue Shirts of 1914 battled for the city’s very first Stanley Cup. Against the fanatical opposition of amateur hockey leaders, these “forgotten Leafs” would lay the groundwork for the world’s most profitable hockey franchise.

Harper wasn’t the only international leader making hockey-related headlines today. U.S. President Barack Obama was in Stockholm, Sweden, where he reportedly said this:

“I should mention on behalf of hockey fans back home in Chicago, I have to say how grateful our championship Blackhawks are for their several teammates who hail from Sweden. So that’s been an excellent export that we gladly accept.”

Doesn’t seem to matter who’s running the country (Canada or US)… They’re all corrupt as hell. Obama, Bush, Harper, they’re all out to help their respective “friends” whether it’s big banks, big oil or whoever.

kingsforever - Sep 4, 2013 at 9:51 PM

Harper is a great PM. Sorry he’s helping the economy and not the parasites who rely on welfare.

Is this what he’s been working on instead of running the country? I don’t think there’s a less desirable hockey book out there. I couldn’t possibly care less what Harper thinks about hockey. I wonder how much tax-payer money goes towards his hockey ticket budget.